Calypso singer. Friend to Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Oprah. Teen mother. Survivor. Poet. Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. Author. Human rights activist. San Francisco’s first female streetcar driver. Newspaper editor (in Egypt and Ghana). Trail Blazer. Phenomenal woman.

These are just some of the things that mark the 86 year-long life of Marguerite Ann Johnson-better known as Dr. Maya Angelou.

If you haven’t read her memoir ‘I know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ then do yourself a favour and get your hands on a copy. (And/or watch the movie made from the book).

An inspirational woman who spoke several languages and held some 30 honorary degrees (yet never went to university) she lived life to the fullest and left us all with a vast library of wisdom:

Rest In Peace, Maya Angelou.
April 4th, 1928 – May 28th, 2014